Vendors occupying stores beside Fort San Pedro Plaza for more than a decade now have decided to abandon their lots if the city government wants to improve the area for the benefit of more people.
Vicente Mercado, who heads the Squatter Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division, said his personnel are now ready to demolish the shanties of the vendors by Tuesday if their owners will not voluntarily remove them.
“Sa Martes na g’yod namo na gub-on kay holiday man sa Lunes. Napupos na ang lima ka adlaw nga gitagal namo nila og wala pa gihapon sila mangguba sa ila nga tindahan,” Mercado said.
Some of the vendors admitted that their small livelihood —selling food and drinks in that place— helps them in their financial needs.
“Miarang-arang na unta og gamay ang among kahimtang, pero og papahawaon mi, balik na sab,” another vendor said.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered the demolition after complaints reached his office about these so-called “eyesores” in that tourist attraction.
The mayor has rejected the vendors’ request for an extension.
Fort San Pedro used to be the old Spanish barracks located just across the Plaza Independencia. It was formerly managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority before it was turned over to the city last year.
The vendors used to pay rent to the PTA, but it was stopped after the city assumed responsibility of the management of said old Spanish barracks for tourism purposes.
One vendor in the area is occupying a lot around 40 square meters.
San Roque barangay captain Roger Ruizo supported the move to pull out the said vendors in that place. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP